Our community campaigner had the privilege of joining the 5th Annual Symposium of the Social Science Community for the Great Barrier Reef. It was an inspiring gathering of people who bring both knowledge and care to the future of the Reef, and Luna felt honoured to contribute as a speaker and workshop facilitator.

Throughout the symposium, Luna heard about the diversification of reef science and projects - spanning topics such as the role of emotion in reef protection, current trust in reef science, the use of drones, and women’s leadership on the reef. What stood out most was the collective commitment to expanding how we understand, connect with, and protect the Reef.

One of the most delightful aspects of leading a community organisation is interacting with our exceptional community.

This month, Luna has brought people together through several vibrant community events and I've had the pleasure of facilitating workshops to map nature priorities for our region's renewable energy transition. Meanwhile, passionate volunteers have been hitting the streets and the phones selling tickets in our e-bike raffle fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who has helped make August so fruitful!

I suggest you have your diary close by while you browse this edition of Paperbark, because September promises to be just as action-packed, and you won't want to miss a thing!

Thanks as always for your continued support. I can't wait to see you at our AGM to celebrate our successes together!

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

Last weekend we gathered for the official launch of Shaking the Trees, the powerful new novel by Jeremy Tager. The evening was honest, raw, and thought-provoking- an invitation to step out of the everyday and ask bigger questions about the crises shaping our world and the opportunities we still have for change.

At this month’s Green Drinks we were grateful to be joined by Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins and Dinny Taylor from the Healthy Waterways Partnership for the Dry Tropics, along with our current NQCC interns, to unpack the latest Dry Tropics Waterways Report Card.

After having to postpone our event, we were thrilled to welcome over 40 people to the screening and panel discussion co-hosted by Social Workers for Climate Action and NQCC. The evening began with an introduction from Juanita and Sandra from Social Workers for Climate Action, inviting attendees to reflect, be curious, and remember that we are all part of a food system that can-and must-be improved: better for the soil, for farmers, and for consumers.

In a massive win for conservation in North Queensland, a bill that would see crocodiles culled has failed to pass the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Committee. Its scathing report found that the approaches outlined in the bill were unnecessary, ineffective and not backed by science. 

This month, a federal court found that the Australian Government has no legal duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change. While we share the heartbreak of this outcome, the case shone a light on the responsibility of governments to take real climate action. This was reinforced by the recent warning from the International Court of Justice that countries failing to act on climate may be in breach of international law.

On the biodiversity front, the parliamentary committee assessing a crocodile management bill put forward by Katter MP Shane Knuth has recommended its rejection, highlighting the effectiveness of awareness campaigns for public safety over the need for culling.

Thank you to everyone who made submissions to the bill, highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of North Queensland's estuarine crocs and the need for their protection - what a win!

As you'll see in this edition of Paperbark, we're fighting the good fight on all fronts, so however you show up - volunteering, donating or just a kind message of support - it all means a lot to us!

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

On a sunny but windy Saturday afternoon, we joined other local organisations, businesses, and council initiatives at Strand Park for the second Healthy Waters Arvo - a community event celebrating efforts to protect and restore water health across our region.

The weather last Wednesday at JCU Market Day mirrored what many students told us they were feeling — overcast, a little heavy.

We set up a large “Climate Mood” board to check in with students about how they’re feeling about the climate crisis. Since the peak of the school strikes and the disruptions of COVID, things have quietened down. We wanted to know — what’s shifted, and where are people at now?

Last week’s Green Drinks at the Commonwealth Hotel was one of those slightly warmer winter nights that made it easy to settle into good company and meaningful conversations. We were especially pleased to welcome Juanita and Sandra from Social Workers for Climate Action — a powerful alliance of social work practitioners, students, educators and researchers based at JCU, committed to recognising climate change as an environmental, social justice and human rights issue.